New membership currency introduced to RuneScape to help fight gold farming

You don't need to pay money to enjoy RuneScape on a monthly basis, but you certainly get a bit more out of the game with a subscription. But would you prefer to use some of your vast in-game fortune to pay for that membership? You can do that now thanks to the introduction of Bonds, a new item that can be purchased for $5 a pop and then traded or sold in the game itself.

When used, Bonds can be redeemed for 14 days of play time, eight Squeal of Fortune spins, or 160 RuneCoins. You can also redeem them for RuneFest tickets (although it takes more than one Bond for that). In a video from Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, the genesis of Bonds is explained -- this is the latest step in the game's long-standing battle with gold farming accounts, offering players more control over membership costs while cutting out the need to pay money to third parties. So spend cash on improving your in-game fortune or spend your in-game fortune to save some cash, it's up to you.